Anthony Iwuoma
The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seems to be getting more enmeshed in crisis, as leaders fight for control of the party, following moves for a new state congress.
There is yet no sign that the crisis, which escalated during last year’s governorship election in the state, is abating soon.
During the last election, while the National Working Committee of the party supported the candidature of a former lawmaker, Hon. Ladi Adetutu, his major opponent and gubernatorial candidate, Sen. Sen. Buruji Kashamu, succeeded in halting Adetutu’s ambition through court ruling that ruled in favour of his faction, led by Bayo Dayo.
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However, as the party readies for another state congress to elect new officers for the state, local governments and wards, the various factions have drawn their battle lines once more.
One of the surprising developments that may hurt Kashamu is
the reported deal his ardent loyalists struck at a secret peace meeting of with
the Adebutu faction in Abuja.
The secretary of Kashamu-backed state executives,
Semiu Sodipo, reportedly led some members to the meeting with the PDP National
Chairman, Uche Secondus, where they made known their decision to join forces
with Adebutu.
However, irked by the turn of events, the State
Chairman, Bayo Dayo, disassociated the Kashamu faction from any such
arrangement, throwing aspersions at the PDP National Chairman whom he accused
of being more interested in money than peace.
Dayo also announced the suspension of the state
secretary from the party, claiming that he did not represent their faction at
the said peace meeting.
In a counter move, Sodipo described his
suspension as a nullity and went ahead to announce the suspension of the
chairman and accused him of anti-party activities.
At a briefing with newsmen on Sunday, Sodipo disclosed that
10 members of Central Working Committee of the Bayo Dayo-led executive have
united with the Adebutu faction. The Central Working Committee has 14
members.
Nevertheless, the Kashamu faction is reportedly
forging ahead with the planned state congress but the now strengthened Adebutu
faction, is said to be waiting for directives on the matter from the PDP National
Secretariat.